The Effects of Radiation on Plants

Plants do not have to worry much about radiation. Experiments have been conducted that show that radiation is really only a problem when a plant is in the stage of a seed. Still, large amounts of radiation can destroy any material, including plant material.

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High doses of radiation can cause seeds to not sprout, grow slowly, lose fertility or develop genetic mutations that can change characteristics of the plant.

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The right amounts of radiation can kill microorganisms on seeds, protecting them from dangerous diseases early on.

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An experiment conducted by the San Antonio Community Hospital found that plants that have already germinated before radiation exposure are less likely to develop defects than plants that are dormant.

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All molecules, from water to animal and plant material, can be damaged by radiation, as it disrupts the normal flow of electrons surrounding an atom.

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Plants contain chemicals that protect them from most radiation, since they are exposed to a large amount of radiation when basking in sunlight.